2014 NRL Draw to be announced Dec 4

[DIEHARD]

2014 NRL Draw announced Wednesday
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The draw for the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership season will be revealed at 11am AEDT on Wednesday, December 4.

The full draw for the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership season will be released exclusively on NRL.com at 11am (AEDT) on Wednesday December 4.

Join the team at NRL.com LIVE as we analyse every club’s draw for the new season, look at each team’s biggest games as well as the individual match-ups and must-see clashes that will determine the 2014 Premiership.

Plus, hear from players from every club as they discuss the games that will shape their 2014 campaigns.

Remember: you’ll get all the news first on NRL.com and the NRL Club Network!

[DIEHARD]

2014 Draw: More stars to play big games

Heat and the impact of Origin on the Telstra Premiership are two of the major issues the NRL have addressed in the construction of the 2014 draw to be released on Wednesday.

Over the first three rounds of the competition just one game will be played under the sun, finally relieving the players of running out in extreme conditions.

"We've obviously taken the concerns of our players and coaches from last season in that we will look to minimise afternoon matches for the opening three rounds next season," the NRL's general manager of football operations, Nathan McGuirk, told NRL.com.

"We'll see that seven of the eight matches of the first three rounds played either at night-time or twilight timeslots which will alleviate some of the concerns of players, coaches and also our fans."

The NRL have also moved to ensure that each club's marquee games will not be affected by the gruelling Origin schedule. One of last year's grand final rematches between the Storm and Bulldogs was devoid of their Origin stars.

"We obviously try to place byes strategically through that particular area of the season to help compensate teams that are heavily affected by State of Origin and its impact on clubs," McGuirk said.

"So we obviously also try and reserve marquee events or match-ups from our stand down Origin rounds when our superstars aren't playing and reserve those for rounds outside that time period.

"Two of our key features of our five-year strategic plan is to grow crowds and memberships, and grow ratings. So delivering a draw which features marquee events or marquee match-ups into our key viewing timeslots is vitally important. That's been one of our focuses with the construction of this year's draw.

"When fans get to see the 2014 draw, they'll see an array of marquee matches across all of our major timeslots which is very exciting for everyone."

While there were some concerns over the introduction of fixed scheduling, McGuirk said the NRL would continue to persist with the idea and have made changes were deemed necessary.

"It's difficult to say [whether it was successful] over just one year. It's quite a small sample in terms of us seeing how it actually worked," McGuirk said.

"We've learnt some lessons from last year into 2014, which we've tried to implement in the 2014 draw. But overall, fixed scheduling was something that was key for not only our clubs, but also our fans and members.

"They wanted to know when their teams were playing well in advance, rather than the rolling schedule that had been previously in place. We've listened to our fans, listened to our members in delivering those changes that we implemented last year."

Source: http://www.NRL.com

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While there were some concerns over the introduction of fixed scheduling, McGuirk said the NRL would continue to persist with the idea and have made changes were deemed necessary.

"It's difficult to say [whether it was successful] over just one year. It's quite a small sample in terms of us seeing how it actually worked," McGuirk said.

"We've learnt some lessons from last year into 2014, which we've tried to implement in the 2014 draw. But overall, fixed scheduling was something that was key for not only our clubs, but also our fans and members.

"They wanted to know when their teams were playing well in advance, rather than the rolling schedule that had been previously in place. We've listened to our fans, listened to our members in delivering those changes that we implemented last year."

I for one am really happy they are persevering with fixed scheduling!

[DIEHARD]

Broncos v Cowboys Round 1

EARLY RELEASE: Broncos 2014 Home Opener Confirmed

THE NRMA Insurance Broncos can confirm they will kick off their 2014 NRL home season against the North Queensland Cowboys in round two next year.
The Broncos and Cowboys will collide at Suncorp Stadium on Friday March 14, a week after they begin their campaign in round one.

That season-opening match, likely to be in Sydney, and the rest of the Broncos draw will be released at 10am Qld time tomorrow on www.broncos.com.au.
To open the first of 12 home games in Brisbane is a dream draw for Broncos and Cowboys fans alike.

In the last two matches between the clubs at the Brisbane venue, just two points have separated the fierce rivals.

The Cowboys won the 2012 game 28-26 thanks to a last-minute Matt Bowen try, while earlier this year Josh Hoffman sunk North Queensland with a four pointer in the final 10 minutes for a 12-10 victory.

The Broncos again expect to be allocated a large proportion of Friday home games next season when the draw is released.

However the club has campaigned hard for some variety for their fans, and is confident the club will receive a Saturday match and a Sunday game or two.
It is hoped the club can avoid Monday night fixtures that vastly affect crowd numbers and can be inconvenient for members.


The Broncos played two Monday night home games this year.
The Broncos entire season of opponents will be released tomorrow morning, with the exact date and time of the first 20 rounds also to be confirmed then.

[DIEHARD]

I for one am really happy they are persevering with fixed scheduling!

I agree, we dont want a reactionary governing body, lets see how this rides out and the supporters react after a few years.

[DIEHARD]

FIXTURES CONFIRMED:

- Round 2: Broncos v Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium, Friday 14 March

- Round 4: Eels v Panthers @ Pirtek Stadium, Saturday 29 March; Titans v Cowboys @ Skilled Park, Monday 31 March

- Round 9: Roosters v Tigers @ Allianz Stadium, Friday 9 May

- Round 11: Bulldogs v Roosters @ ANZ Stadium, Friday 23 May

- Round 13: Storm v Roosters @ AAMI Park, Sunday 8 June

- Round 26: Knights v Dragons @ Hunter Stadium (September 4-7)

[DIEHARD]

Sharks will play the Manly Sea Eagles at Remondis Stadium in round 15.

The match, which will be played on Saturday, June 15, sees the Sharks clash with their traditional rivals in a game where they will hope to reverse their most recent result when the Sea Eagles knocked the Sharks out of the 2013 Finals series.

[DIEHARD]

The NRL have confirmed Panthers will face St George Illawarra in Round 14 of the 2014 season at Centrebet Stadium.

[hammer]

FIXTURES CONFIRMED:

- Round 2: Broncos v Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium, Friday 14 March

- Round 4: Eels v Panthers @ Pirtek Stadium, Saturday 29 March; Titans v Cowboys @ Skilled Park, Monday 31 March

- Round 9: Roosters v Tigers @ Allianz Stadium, Friday 9 May

- Round 11: Bulldogs v Roosters @ ANZ Stadium, Friday 23 May

- Round 13: Storm v Roosters @ AAMI Park, Sunday 8 June

- Round 26: Knights v Dragons @ Hunter Stadium (September 4-7)

Why is our blockbuster being played on a Monday night?

[DIEHARD]

Why is our blockbuster being played on a Monday night?

Cause it's not a blockbuster :/

[DIEHARD]

Knights v Dragons at Hunter Stadium in Round 26.

[DIEHARD]

Roosters v Sea Eagles Round 4 at Allianz Stadium. Friday 28th March.

[DIEHARD]

Fascinating to see Warriors play 3 games at Eden Park.

[TITAN PETE]

Round 1
Thursday.
Rabbits v Roosters ANZ
Friday.
Bulldogs v Broncos ANZ
Saturday.
Panthers v Knights Centrebet
Eagles v Storm Brookvale
Cowboys v Raiders 1300
Sunday.
Dragons v Tigers ANZ
Eels v Warriors Parramatta Stadium
Monday.
Sharks v Titans Redmonis Stadium

[Toads]

Monday.
Sharks v Titans Redmonis Stadium

Lets just hope this doesn't set the tone for the rest of our season draw..

EDIT: Quoted from another thread

Leaked: Titans v Cowboys @ Skilled Park, Monday 31 March

Ahh well, there's not much else to say..